Our television screens advertise an anti-aging cream every 10 seconds. The effect is that by the end of 2020, the global market for anti-aging products is over 250 billion US dollars.

We spend a massive chunk of our income on these products but cease to notice that almost all the brands talk about adding natural herbs for anti-aging. Why not add all these natural products to our diet and chuck off the products that eat our money, delivering negligible results?

We bring a collection of anti-aging foods and herbs packed with antioxidants, essential nutrients, and healthy fats to keep your skin glowing for years to come. Read on to know more and discover the anti-aging goodness of nature.

What are the early signs of aging?

UV rays, erratic eating habits, and lack of nutrients lure aging skin much ahead of its time. Most people experience aging signs in their 30s, and it is scary. Since this is the time to pursue a career and focus on building your life, a few fine lines and pigmentations seem to deter all the confidence to face the world. The bearable news is, you can reverse the aging process, not through costly cosmetics but by including a few natural foods and herbs. To reverse aging, first look for the following signals.

Hyperpigmentation or sunspots

The UV rays can cause havoc on the skin causing tiny brown spots on the face, neck, chest, hands, and feet.

Dry skin

Dry, itchy skin is resultant of excessive dead cells on the dermis. It will eventually become patchy and begin to show fine lines and wrinkles.

Fine lines

Collagen provides elasticity to the body. With a reduction in collagen, you will witness fine lines and wrinkles.

Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet are the adverse effect of sun rays around the eyes. Loss of elasticity is also a prominent reason for the pronounced fine lines around your eyes.

Sagging

Lack of collagen and elastin forces the body to lose structure and leads to drooping of the skin.

What do anti-aging foods do?

The leading causes of aging are sun exposure, lack of collagen, dehydration, and lower healthy fats in the body. Anti-aging foods are rich in nutrients, healthy fats, and antioxidants that maintain the body’s elasticity and keep aging at bay.

Top anti-aging foods for skincare, reverse wrinkles, and longevity.

Anti-aging foods supplement you with all the vitamins and minerals for a healthy life. These are packed with nutrients and prove to be better than any of those high-end anti-aging products.

Anti-aging fruits for your diet plan

Papaya

Papaya is a superfood. The high levels of calcium, phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium, along with the vitamins A, B, C, K, and E, restore skin elasticity. The enzyme papain is a natural exfoliating agent that helps shed dead skin and maintains plump skin. If you already have a few fine lines, consuming papaya can reverse these.

Blueberries

Blueberry is natural sun protection. The antioxidant anthocyanin will protect your skin against sun damage and pollution. Vitamin A and C’s power is also in blueberries preventing collagen loss and maintaining skin tissues’ elasticity.

Avocado

Avocado is versatile and one of the yummy fruits to add to your diet. It’s high in vitamin A, B, C, E, and K, helping maintain the body’s elasticity and acts as a natural exfoliator. The fruit also contains carotenoid that blocks harmful UV rays proving to be the best anti-aging remedies.

Pomegranate

The crimson red seeds of pomegranate ooze nothing but deliciousness and nutrients to humankind. The tiny seeds contain oodles of vitamin C and antioxidants, protecting the body against free radicals. Another essential compound, punicalagin, is also found in the pomegranate seeds, preserving collagen and maintaining skin elasticity.

Anti-aging vegetables to reverse wrinkles

Red bell pepper

Little did we know that red bell pepper can help in anti-aging. It contains Vitamin C and antioxidants such as carotenoids that support collagen production and prevent sun damage. Adding these into your diet also waves away skin damages from pollution and other environmental toxins.

Broccoli

The health benefits of broccoli are evident but did we know that it can be a fabulous anti-aging food. Being packed in Vitamin C and K makes it a superfood for collagen production. There are also antioxidants, fibre, folate, lutein, and calcium, helping with their anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.

Spinach

Greens are essential to your overall health, especially when it is spinach, packed in numerous vitamins, antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and lutein. It is high in vitamin C, which induces collagen production and maintains the skin health. Spinach is highly hydrating and can replenish dry, patchy skin.


Sweet potato

Sweet potatoes are the best healthy snack alternative. Packed in the goodness of vitamin A, sweet potato has multiple anti-aging benefits. It reduces fine lines, replenishes damaged cells, and provides a lovely glow. Vitamin A is also crucial in removing dead cells.

Tomatoes

The Health benefits of tomatoes are known to all. They are also extensively used in DIY face packs. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a natural carotenoid, which works as a barrier against harmful sun rays. There is also vitamin C in tomatoes that helps maintain the elasticity and lustre of the skin.

Anti-aging herbs for skincare

Basil

Basil or holy basil is a key ingredient in most dishes. Though it was a magical remedy for fevers and cold, its anti-aging properties are revealed later. The various antioxidants in this superfood retain moisture in the skin and fight wrinkles. If the prominent fine lines bother you, intake of basil can reverse them.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo finds a place in the ingredient list of many high-end anti-aging cosmetics. It has abundant flavonoids and terpenoids that soothe skin inflammation and provide ample hydration. The antioxidants present in the herb provide elasticity and block collagen depletion. The exotic concoction of topical formulas helps to retain moisture in the skin and revert wrinkles.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a prominent herb in India. It is available as pills and powder. Intake of this herb increases telomerase activity which prevents and reverses aging. Telomerase enzymes defy aging, and Ashwagandha has the qualities to reactivate telomerase in the body.

Ginseng

Ginseng is the name given to eleven different kinds of roots that provide exceptional benefits. A chemical compound called ‘Ginsenosides’ is responsible for all its unique properties. It acts as a sunblock blocking both UVA and UVB rays. There is also increased collagen production that wipes away even the profound wrinkles in the skin. And if you decide to ferment the root before consuming, the benefits will be manifold.

Horsetail

Horsetail is a medicinal herb, and you can find it in many ayurvedic formulas. Apart from multiple health benefits, horsetail is also an effective anti-aging formulation. It contains silica that is abundant in collagen. Horsetail is also an anti-inflammatory herb that soothes skin and provides a taut luster.

Moonseed

Moonseed is a herbaceous vine used in Ayurveda medicines. It is available in tablet form, and the Food and Drug Administration approves of this herb’s benefits. Amidst a zillion health benefits, moonseeds is also a trustable anti-aging herb. It revives dry patchy skin and relieves inflammation. Regular intake of moonseed can repair cell and tissue damage.

Oregano

Oregano will bring delicious Italian food to your mind. The herb sure adds magic to the cuisine. Oregano is equally beneficial for your skin as it contains antioxidants such as flavonoids that neutralize free radicles and maintain the elasticity of your skin. It is also infused with antimicrobial components that protect the skin against harmful toxins present in the environment.

Rosemary

Rich with all the essential nutrients, rosemary is a must for your anti-aging journey. There is iron, calcium, vitamins, antioxidants, and various other essentials that protect skin damage. Using rosemary regularly treats acne scars and gets rid of hyperpigmentation. It provides immunity to your skin and prevents infections on the surface.

Watercress

Watercress is a green leafy herb used to spice salads and soups. It has numerous health benefits, including curing fever, cough, swine flu, tuberculosis, etc. Packed with various nutrients, i.e., vitamin A, C, K, B1, B2, calcium, manganese, potassium, and phosphorous, watercress works as a skin antiseptic and prevents fine lines. It also increases blood circulation, enhancing the body’s oxygen levels to fight free radicals, providing you a wrinkle-free, super smooth skin.

Anti-aging spices for longevity

Ginger

Nothing beats the taste of freshly grated ginger in a dish. But, our good old kitchen ingredient is not just about taste. Ginger contains antioxidants, the reason why it is preferred to treat cough that provides the anti-inflammatory qualities of the pice. When in your body, it works actively to bar aging signs.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an all-time favorite as it tingles our taste buds and also possess many beauty benefits. We know that collagen is crucial for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and giving it a youthful tout. Cinnamon prevents the breakdown of collagen, keeping your youthful glow.

Few more to the anti-aging list

Nuts

Adding nuts to your diet is the best you can give to the body. They are packed in proteins, vitamin E, essential oils, minerals, and multiple antioxidants. The anti-aging benefits of having nuts are immeasurable as they provide all the necessary nutrients to prevent the aging process. There is Vitamin E that is a natural sunscreen, antioxidants that help in cell regeneration, and essential oils that provide elasticity to the skin.

Green Tea

This one is a no-brainer. The world is raving about green tea benefits. EGCG, the powerful antioxidant, can fight cancer, so anti-aging is an easily conquerable zone. The eminent nutrient properties in green tea can kill systematic bacteria causing inflammation and skin damage. It also keeps sun damage at bay.

Things to avoid for premature aging

Apart from the above anti-aging foods, there are some healthy habits that you will need to follow for anti-aging and overall health benefits.

  • Quit smoking
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Exercise regularly
  • Stay away from junk food
  • Always stay hydrated
  • Save your skin from the sun
  • Apply a tanning cream rather than soaking the hot sun
  • Always maintain clean skin

Conclusion

Our grandmas are these lovely beautiful ladies in their 80s. They might never have used a chemically infused product for skin, and that’s the reason they look so elegant and beautiful. One statement that rules in the anti-aging genre, your skin reflects all that you put inside your body. Let’s vow to take care of our skin and add all the anti-aging natural foods and herbs in our diets to combat the worst fears.

Image Source: BigStockPhoto.com (Licensed)

 

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